The definition of the word "liberal"

I'm a liberal. Yes I know, it's hard to believe...but that's only because lately people have forgotten what that actually means.

So here goes...straight from your good friends at Dictionary.com.

lib·er·al /--lɪbərəl, --lɪbrəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective

1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
------------>6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies. <-------------
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
–noun 14. a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.
15. (often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.


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[Origin: 1325–75; ME < L l--ber--lis of freedom, befitting the free, equiv. to l--ber free + ---lis -al1]

And yet, somehow in today's world it has come (in many cases) to mean sympathy for this guy:



this guy:



yemach shemo v'zichrono

these guys:









and this guy:




I wish this was a joke.